Wednesday, 22 December 2010

2010 Top 10 - No 10 Vale Royal

My Easter trip to Manchester with Jeff included four days on the Weaver Navigation, and what a hidden gem.

First light at Vale Royal Weir

The highlight of the trip was the last morning. We had moored up above Vale Royal Lock (they close at 4.00pm) opposite the wier.

Having spent a night lulled by the tinkle of water running over the wier I awoke at first light to find the boat crusted with frost and ventured out armed with my camera. This was the view which greeted me from the stern of Wand'ring Bark, mist rising from mirror calm waters and the first shafts of sunlight bathing the distant trees with a warming glow.